Pedal extension



April 1950 H. E. TOWNSEND 2,504,056

PEDAL EXTENSION Filed April 2, 1947 INVENTOR.

HEP Uld E. Tum/n5 and ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PEDAL EXTENSIONHarold E. Townsend, Elmira, N. Y.

Application April 2, 1947, Serial No. 738,810

' 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in pedal extensions for pianosand other instruments and apparatus.

An important object of the invention is to provide an adjustable pedalextension for piano pedals or the like, whereby players, such aschildren, may be able to operate the pedals after the extensions havebeen adjusted to the proper height for the convenient manipulationthereof by the player. For example, in a junior piano recital, where a,number of children of various ages may play a single piano, one afteranother, the novel pedal extension herein described may be adjusted andreadjusted so as to provide a pedal height, proper for each one of thechildren.

Another important object is to provide such a pedal extension which maybe very quickly adjusted to the proper height and the adjusting means isso readily manipulated that children may make the adjustments or theadjustments may be made, even when the foot is upon the pedal extension.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following detailed description of the invention, takenin connection with the accompanying drawing, and in which drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the novel pedal extension in oneadjusted position.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the new pedal extension,in an adjusted position differing from that in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a heel-end or forward end view thereof with the extensioncollapsed.

Figures 4 and 5 are plan views of a link member and a brace respectivelyforming parts of the novel pedal extension.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a piano upon the pedalsof which three of the novel extensions are mounted.

Figure '7 is a side elevation on a somewhat reduced scale, of theextension showing its association with a pedal.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,the letter A designates the novel pedal extension and B a musicalinstrument to the pedals of which it is attached or mounted.

The novel pedal extension A comprises an upper, foot-contacting memberID, a lower, pedalattached member II, cross links I2 and I3 pivotallycarried by these members III and II, a pair of braces I4 pivotallycarried by the two links I2,

a connection member I5 connecting the free ends of the braces andcooperating with a series of spaced-apart means I5 carried by the memberIll to receive the connection member I4 for vertical adjusting themember I0 with respect to the member II. There is also provided means I!to detachably secure the member II to a pedal.

Referring mainly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the upperfoot-contacting member I0 may be an elongated section of suitablematerial, as wood or metal, having an upper face 20, a lower face 2I,with the planes of the faces diverging toward the heel end 22 of themember I 0, and a heel stop 23 extending upwardly from the face 2| atthe heel end 22. The member ID has substantially parallel side faces 24.

The lower pedal-attached and pedal-supported member I I is, as may beseen in Figures 1, 2 and 3, also an elongated section, which may be ofwood, metal, or combinations thereof, somewhat inverted T-shaped intransverse sections, so that there is an upper portion 25 of lesserwidth than a lower portion 25. Preferably, the width of the portion 25is substantially the same Width as that of the member Ill. The portion25 has substantially parallel side faces 2'! and a rearward end 28.

One of the two cross links I2 is shown in Figure 4 and may be a flat,rigid length of suitable metal. provided with pivot pin-receivingopenings 30 and 3I adjacent each end and a pivot pin-receiving opening32 intermediate these ends, being nearer one end than the other.

The links I3 are preferably like the links I2 except that they are notprovided with the openings 32.

In Figure 5 is shown one of the two braces I4. Each is preferably ashort length of suitable metal, provided with a pivot pin-receivingopening 35 adjacent one end 36, this being the normally lowermost end,and a connection member-r'eceiving opening 3'! adjacent its other end.

As may be seen in Figures 1 and 2, a cross link I2 is pivoted, as by asuitable pivot pin 40, extending through the opening 38 to the portion25 at each face 21 adjacent the rearward end 28 of the portion 25. Eachcross link I2 is also pivoted to the member ID at the heel end 22 andfaces 24 as by pivots 4|.

The links I3 are each pivoted at one end of each to the portion 25 atits end opposite the end 28, as by pivots 42, and extend upwardly,crossing the links I2, and are pivotally connected with the braces I4 aswill next be described.

The braces I4 are pivoted, at one end of each as by pivot pins 43extending through the openings 32 in the links l2 and then extend sothat their openings 31 and the openings 3% in the links [3 will receivethe connection member I5 which not only joins the braces 14 together butalso functions as a pivot between the braces i4 and links l3. Anysuitable means may be provided to prevent longitudinal shifting of themember 15, as by heads 64 upon the ends thereof.

It is now apparent that the cross links l2 and I3 may take positionssuch as those shown in Figures 1 and 2 or may take positions as areapparent in Figure 3.

As may be seen in Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a plurality ofspaced apart, transverselyextending slots 45 in the member l0, extendingupwardly from its lower face 2!. These slots 45 are constructed andarranged to receive the connection member l5 and permit the member H] tomaintain various adjusted (elevated) positions with respect to themember l I. The walls of the slots 45 constitute the means Hi. It willbe seen in Figures 1 and 2 that these slots 45 form angles other than aright angle with the face 2!.

In order to secure the novel pedal extension A to a pedal 50 of aninstrument or apparatus such as the musical instrument (piano) B, thereis provided the means ll shown mostly in Figures 1 and 2. Thispreferably comprises a hinge member having leaves 55 and 56 joined by apintle or pivot 51 with one leaf 55 secured to the member H and theother leaf 56 carrying a suitable number of thumb screws 58 extendingthrough the leaf 56 and provided with a flat bar 59 having ascrewthreaded opening 69 for each thumb screw 58. This bar 59 isconstructed and arranged to contact the under side of a pedal 50,, atadjacent the part thereof which is most removed from the instrument orapparatus, and the leaf 56 bearing against the upper side of the samepedal 5%, being forced into engagement therewith by the thumb screw 58.The hinge connection provided permits the extension to take the positionshown in Figure 7, whereby the musicians foot will take the naturalposition it assumes when operating a pedal.

It is now apparent that, when attached to a pedal, the extension may bemanipulated to raise or lower the member it so that it will be nearestthe pedal 50, as is obvious in Figure 3, raised somewhat therefrom, asin Figure 1 or raised considerably therefrom, as in Figure 2. In orderto raise or lower the member it all the operator need do is to place histhumb and index finger upon the heads M and move the hand upwardly,whereupon the links, braces, connection member and member l0 will moveupwardly. When adjusted properly, if the connection rod then is extendedinto the adjacent slot 45, the extension A will remain in the adjustedposition. By swinging the member 10 on its pivotal connections 4|, sothat the connection member l5 will clear the slots 45, and press down onthe linkage at the heads 44, the member I!) may be lowered to acollapsed condition whereby a compact, small assembly is provided, forpacking, transportation or the like. Of course, one extension, orseveral of them may be employed as desired.

Various changes may be made in the form of the invention herein shownand described without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the claim.

What is claimed is:

In a pedal extension, a foot-contacting member having a heel end portionand a lower face; a pedal-supported member below the foot-contactingmember; two spaced-apart pairs of cross links, facing each other atopposite sides of said extension, each link having an upper end portion,an intermediate portion and a lower end portion, and each link beingpivotally secured to the pedal-supporting member at their lower endportions, and the first link of each pair being pivotally secured tosaid heel portion; a brace for each of said pairs, with each bracehaving an upper end portion and a lower end portion and with one bracebeing pivotally secured to the first link of one pair of links at theintermediate portion of said first link, and the other brace beingpivotally secured to the first link of the other pair of links at theintermediate portion ofthe last-named first link; a connection memberpivotally connecting'together the upper end portions of the second linkof each pair with the upper end portions of the braces, said connectionmember having an intermediate portion extending transversely of andbelow said lower face; means to detachably secure said pedal-supportedmember to a pedal; and a series of spaced-apart means carried by saidfoot-contacting member at said lower face to receive the intermediateportion of said connection member.

HAROLD E. TOWNSEND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 362,539 Robinson May 10, 188?407,005 Foster July 16, 1889 789,813 Longley May 16, 1906 1,918,510Woodall July 18, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 336,827 FranceJan. 28, 1904

